American Gods: Ian McShane Cast as Mr. Wednesday in Starz Adaptation

In a divine piece of casting, Deadwood vet Ian McShane is joining Starz’ American Gods in the pivotal role of Mr. Wednesday, TVLine has learned.

The straight-to-series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s popular fantasy novel, which is being shepherded by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green, follows a lonely ex-con named Shadow (played by The 100‘s Ricky Whittle) who takes a job as a bodyguard for the mysterious Mr. Wednesday. As the two men travel the United States, Shadow becomes aware that a war is imminent between the country’s old gods (think: ancient mythology) and its new ones (think: modern technology) — and that his part in the proceedings has been predestined. And Mr. Wednesday? He’s one of the old gods.

“When you write a beloved character like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the Internet trying to cast the role,” Gaiman said in a statement. “I’ve seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does… Yesterday was Super Tuesday. Today is Wonderful Wednesday.”

Added Fuller and Green (the latter of whom worked with McShane on NBC’s short-lived drama Kings): “Actor. Icon. And now god. It is a goddamn delight to be collaborating with the incomparable Ian McShane — again and for the first time — on a story about faith and belief, with the utmost faith and belief in Mr. McShane as our Mr. Wednesday. A wonderful Wednesday indeed.”